Billy Horschel had not participated in a tournament for a month and initially had no plans to journey across eight time zones. However, after clinching the prestigious title at Wentworth in the European Tour for the second time, he quickly ascended the standings in the Race to Dubai. As a result, he found himself in Dubai for the season-ending championship, currently positioned fourth in the Race to Dubai, although he acknowledges there is no opportunity to overtake Rory McIlroy.
Despite this, Horschel is enthusiastic about competing in the European Tour and feels a duty to be present at the DP World Tour Championship. He mentioned that, even though he is now an established member of the European Tour—having participated in five tournaments this year, including the co-sanctioned Scottish Open—he often refers to the event as “their” Tour Championship. He reflected, “I do tend to use ‘we’ and ‘theirs’ to identify with the DP World Tour members. I genuinely support and appreciate this tour, but my commitment does not extend to participating in over 20 events annually.”
Jon Rahm, another player in attendance, is also working towards meeting the minimum participation requirements for the Ryder Cup. McIlroy, who has been a strong advocate for his home circuit throughout the year, is making his eighth start on the European Tour—a significant departure from his more traditional engagements. Horschel’s participation in the DP World Tour Championship marks his 17th European Tour event since 2021, and he notes that many American players have not followed his lead. He mentions that the lucrative prize money on the PGA Tour makes it easier for players to remain in the U.S. and expresses no judgment towards those who choose not to venture abroad.
He said, “I don’t blame them for staying back… However, engaging internationally adds depth to the game of golf and provides opportunities to connect with fans through autographs and photos. Such moments can be a way of giving back.” Following the conclusion of the FedEx Cup, this will be Horschel’s fourth outing, all of which have been in Europe, including his victory at the BMW PGA Championship, where he joined Arnold Palmer as one of the few Americans to win that event multiple times.
In a shift from the usual, Rory McIlroy finds himself in competition for the 27th time this season at the DP World Tour Championship, mirroring his busy schedule of 2010 during his rookie season on the PGA Tour. However, McIlroy hinted at the possibility of reducing his tournament entries. He expressed uncertainty about returning to some events he played this year, like the Cognizant Classic or the Texas Open preceding the Masters.
The goal for McIlroy is to discover the best equation for performing at Augusta, where he is yet to secure a victory among the majors. He had previously played eight times leading into the Masters but fell short. He also mentioned the idea of skipping some FedEx Cup playoff events, recalling the disappointment of finishing low in the standings after a lackluster performance last year. At this stage in his career, he said, “At 35, with 17 to 18 years in the game, I prefer to focus on tournaments I enjoy and excel in, having gone through the grind of 25 to 30 events per year.”
In a remarkable case of turnaround, Paul Waring illustrates how a single week can dramatically alter a golfer’s fortunes. Although he had been consistent enough to reach the postseason at No. 48 in the Race to Dubai, his true breakthrough came when he opened with a score of 64 and followed up with a record-setting 61 in Abu Dhabi. Ultimately, he clinched victory, achieving his first win in six years, which brought with it numerous benefits including a jump to No. 5 in the Race to Dubai and a PGA Tour card for 2025.
Waring will also have the chance to compete at the British Open at Royal Portrush and potentially at the U.S. Open, which often allows entry to players from the Race to Dubai not already qualified. “While the trip over to the U.S. may be lengthy, it’s a challenge I eagerly anticipate,” remarked Waring, who resides in Dubai.
Thorbjorn Olesen, meanwhile, moved from having a PGA Tour membership after securing a top 10 card from the Race to Dubai to experiencing challenges during his time in the U.S., where he struggled to achieve a notable ranking. Rather than continue to pursue the FedEx Cup in the U.S., he returned to Europe and regained momentum, achieving solid finishes and securing his future place on the PGA Tour once again.
In other noteworthy updates, Lydia Ko has received the Heather Farr Perseverance Award, while Ally Ewing has been honored with the Founders Award within the LPGA. Additionally, Paul Azinger is set to return to broadcasting, looking to work on the PGA Tour Champions circuit next year. Bernhard Langer’s earnings stand at nearly $38 million accumulated over his career on the PGA Tour Champions.
Highlighting the youthful presence in golf, 14-year-old Shiyuan Zhou from China has celebrated victory in her last two starts on the China LPGA. In a nostalgic moment, Curtis Strange and Jay Haas returned to Wake Forest to commemorate their historical NCAA titles.
Finally, it is interesting to note that the European Tour’s top 50 players represent 18 countries, while the PGA Tour’s top 50 come from 16 nations. Max Greyserman succinctly summed up a recurring sentiment when he remarked, “I’ve been playing consistently well, but recognizing the need to improve is key.”